Preventive measures have been carried to decontaminate areas where the pigs were affected and to halt the transportation of sick pigs to other areas

The epidemic has spread to other villages of the commune.

Local authorities blamed heavy rainfall and recent floods in the area for creating favourable conditions for the virus to spread.

Earlier, dozens of pigs in Thạch Hà District’s Thạch Long Commune were suffering from high temperature and loss of appetite in the middle of September.

Trần Hùng, acting head of the Hà Tĩnh Veterinary Branch, said after receiving information from local authorities on the situation, the branch has taken samples for testing.

As soon as blue-ear disease was confirmed, 200 sick animals were culled and other drastic measures were taken to control the disease, he said, adding that more than 1,010 pigs of other households in the commune were not affected. — VNS